Movie Review: The Duchess (2008)
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Aubrey Ward III
I'm not telling you what to see. I'm not telling you what not to see. I'm just sharing my experience and opinion on the movie, tv show or play that I have seen. I'm merely an advisor. Ultimately, you will have to go with your own gut and decide if you'll buy the ticket or not.
By Aubrey Ward III
Published on 09/30/2008
Keira Knightley gets all corseted up again for another sprawling period drama.
Meet The "It" Girl of 1775
Keira Knightley gets all corseted up again for another sprawling period drama. This time she portrays Georgiana Spencer. A young woman properly groomed to be the perfect mate for any lord that comes a courting. Mama Spencer (Charlotte Rampling) hits a major matchmaking goldmine when the Duke of Devonshire, William Cavendish (Ralph Fiennes), seeks Georgiana’s hand in marriage. The new Duchess of Devonshire is ecstatic with her new husband. Until of course she learns the dark side of being the wife of a powerful man.
Keira Knightley as Duchess Georgiana Cavendish of Devonshire (say that 3 times, fast)
Despite her gloomy marriage the good duchess finds pleasure in raising her three daughters, involving herself in political matters, and hanging with her best bud Lady Elizabeth Foster (Hayley Atwell). As the Duchess of Devonshire, Georgiana is one of the most celebrated beings in London. The people watch her to see what she wears, how she speaks, and who she hangs out with much like today's general public spy on Brittany Spears or Paris Hilton.
With all that prestige and admiration the truth is Georgiana has yet to find true love. She certainly ain’t getting it from the Duke and though she and Lady Foster are close Georgiana doesn’t swing that way. So what happens when Cupid sends her an arrow courtesy of Charles Grey (Dominic Cooper)? This tough decision along with betrayal, affairs, blackmail, and character growth make “The Duchess” a thrilling drama.
I must confess that I have a soft spot for these period films. Yes, I am fully aware that most people with my brown complexion weren’t having such a fabulous time back in that day but I’m still fascinated by the costumes and etiquette featured in these flicks. One day I’ll have to do some research and find the exact moment when men decided that wigs and tight pants were dubbed exceptional masculine fashion.
But enough about me. I’d much rather dish on this lavish soap opera. It really is just one scandal after another in the Devonshire household. Can you imagine how entertaining it would be to act as a maid or doorman in that estate? To be able to bear silent witness to all these episodes sounds like an early version of The Soap Network. I swear it was almost like a Tyler Perry movie. He’s sleeping with her. She’s sleeping with him. He’s got six mistresses while she’s got a bun in the oven from the little boy that lives down the lane. “The Duchess” is about two hours long but I didn’t care because I was so entranced by what was happening. Like peeking through the window of that fancy mansion across the street and seeing all the human failings on the grander side of the fence. This is not your grandfather’s “Masterpiece Theater”.
Charlotte Rampling as Georgiana's mum, Lady Spencer
The Duchess herself is given lots of confidence thanks to Knightley’s performance and some good writing. I’m not a history buff but it was kind of hard to believe Knightley’s “Georgiana” was able to speak up like she did. Throughout the movie if she isn’t cleverly embarrassing her boring beau in public she’s telling him off back home. Perhaps this is when history takes a backseat to dramatic interpretation? Historically accurate or not it certainly makes Georgiana an extremely vivacious character who goes after what she wants despite whatever danger she incurs on herself. I sat I wondered how long she could walk on air until the restrained women’s social role of that time pulled her down to Earth.
Ralph Fiennes must really get off on playing meanies and the Duke of Devonshire is no exception. Actually, William isn’t so much a villain as he is a product of his upbringing. It seems a lot of men in high court were taught that they were the centers of the universe and those lowly things such as women and dogs were meant only for their pleasure.
Ralph Fiennes as the dastardly Duke of Devonshire
My heart plummeted to the floor when young Georgiana finds out that William has been getting it on with other women. She truly wanted to love him and made every effort to be the kind of wife that he would admire. Instead he makes it clear that her main purpose is to be on his arm in public and produce as many male heirs as her womb could handle. What amazed me was with all the stunts and tantrums Georgiana pulls William doesn’t kick her out the house. I guess divorce was such a taboo in William's mind that it was far easier to keep his wife as a prisoner rather than set her free to live the life of her heart's desire.
Fear not, my beloved readers, for all is not doom and gloom for our distressed Duchess. The storm clouds are almost completely dissolved when Georgiana meets Lady Elizabeth Foster, played by Hayley Atwell. Lady Foster is also very well acquainted with the duties of being a lord’s wife including the random occurrence of spousal abuse and overlooking her husband’s extramarital romps. When Elizabeth tells Georgiana that Lord Foster has taken full custody of their three sons away from her the Duchess decides to take on Elizabeth as a permanent houseguest.
Lady Foster (Hayley Atwell) and The Duchess (K. Knightley) wigging out.
The two establish a deep bond. Both are sisters in this twisted high society men’s club. Both are mothers. And the both of them bring out the best in each other. Their friendship is tested in the most astonishing way and I could only hope that it would survive until the credits began to roll.
Dominic Cooper, fresh from the smash movie musical “Mamma Mia”, rolls in as the younger and more dashing suitor Charles Grey. Basically, Mr. Grey is everything the Duke is not sans the wealth and fancy title. Charles is depicted as a sensitive good listener who’s a gentleman in public and a marvel in bed. Mr. Cooper has no trouble pouring the charm all over our love starved Georgiana. No spoiler here. It’s only a matter of time before the Duchess seizes the opportunity to seize Mr. Grey.
Charles Grey (D. Cooper) and Georgiana (K. Knightley) get a little bit closer.
Okay, this was a longer review than usual but this was a nearly two hour feature so there was a lot of ground to cover. Even after all my prattle there’s still a wheelbarrow full of plot secrets left unrevealed. I truly enjoyed “The Duchess”. I was expecting a movie about a girl who got married too young and runs around having affairs behind her clueless older husband. Instead, I was treated to a touching yet somewhat tragic tale of a young woman who thought she was marrying a nobleman and instead got years of infidelity and out right disrespect. Seeing Georgiana's maturation was truly a cinematic wonder.
Pre-PETA, obviously.
If there is even a sliver of justice left in the Academy Awards judging room, Miss Knightley should get a much deserved nomination. I remember when she was one of Queen Amidala's handmaidens in "Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace" and now she's a duchess. How bout that?
www.theduchessmovie.com
Keira Knightley as Duchess Georgiana Cavendish of Devonshire (say that 3 times, fast)
Despite her gloomy marriage the good duchess finds pleasure in raising her three daughters, involving herself in political matters, and hanging with her best bud Lady Elizabeth Foster (Hayley Atwell). As the Duchess of Devonshire, Georgiana is one of the most celebrated beings in London. The people watch her to see what she wears, how she speaks, and who she hangs out with much like today's general public spy on Brittany Spears or Paris Hilton.
With all that prestige and admiration the truth is Georgiana has yet to find true love. She certainly ain’t getting it from the Duke and though she and Lady Foster are close Georgiana doesn’t swing that way. So what happens when Cupid sends her an arrow courtesy of Charles Grey (Dominic Cooper)? This tough decision along with betrayal, affairs, blackmail, and character growth make “The Duchess” a thrilling drama.
I must confess that I have a soft spot for these period films. Yes, I am fully aware that most people with my brown complexion weren’t having such a fabulous time back in that day but I’m still fascinated by the costumes and etiquette featured in these flicks. One day I’ll have to do some research and find the exact moment when men decided that wigs and tight pants were dubbed exceptional masculine fashion.
But enough about me. I’d much rather dish on this lavish soap opera. It really is just one scandal after another in the Devonshire household. Can you imagine how entertaining it would be to act as a maid or doorman in that estate? To be able to bear silent witness to all these episodes sounds like an early version of The Soap Network. I swear it was almost like a Tyler Perry movie. He’s sleeping with her. She’s sleeping with him. He’s got six mistresses while she’s got a bun in the oven from the little boy that lives down the lane. “The Duchess” is about two hours long but I didn’t care because I was so entranced by what was happening. Like peeking through the window of that fancy mansion across the street and seeing all the human failings on the grander side of the fence. This is not your grandfather’s “Masterpiece Theater”.
Charlotte Rampling as Georgiana's mum, Lady Spencer
The Duchess herself is given lots of confidence thanks to Knightley’s performance and some good writing. I’m not a history buff but it was kind of hard to believe Knightley’s “Georgiana” was able to speak up like she did. Throughout the movie if she isn’t cleverly embarrassing her boring beau in public she’s telling him off back home. Perhaps this is when history takes a backseat to dramatic interpretation? Historically accurate or not it certainly makes Georgiana an extremely vivacious character who goes after what she wants despite whatever danger she incurs on herself. I sat I wondered how long she could walk on air until the restrained women’s social role of that time pulled her down to Earth.
Ralph Fiennes must really get off on playing meanies and the Duke of Devonshire is no exception. Actually, William isn’t so much a villain as he is a product of his upbringing. It seems a lot of men in high court were taught that they were the centers of the universe and those lowly things such as women and dogs were meant only for their pleasure.
Ralph Fiennes as the dastardly Duke of Devonshire
My heart plummeted to the floor when young Georgiana finds out that William has been getting it on with other women. She truly wanted to love him and made every effort to be the kind of wife that he would admire. Instead he makes it clear that her main purpose is to be on his arm in public and produce as many male heirs as her womb could handle. What amazed me was with all the stunts and tantrums Georgiana pulls William doesn’t kick her out the house. I guess divorce was such a taboo in William's mind that it was far easier to keep his wife as a prisoner rather than set her free to live the life of her heart's desire.
Fear not, my beloved readers, for all is not doom and gloom for our distressed Duchess. The storm clouds are almost completely dissolved when Georgiana meets Lady Elizabeth Foster, played by Hayley Atwell. Lady Foster is also very well acquainted with the duties of being a lord’s wife including the random occurrence of spousal abuse and overlooking her husband’s extramarital romps. When Elizabeth tells Georgiana that Lord Foster has taken full custody of their three sons away from her the Duchess decides to take on Elizabeth as a permanent houseguest.
Lady Foster (Hayley Atwell) and The Duchess (K. Knightley) wigging out.
The two establish a deep bond. Both are sisters in this twisted high society men’s club. Both are mothers. And the both of them bring out the best in each other. Their friendship is tested in the most astonishing way and I could only hope that it would survive until the credits began to roll.
Dominic Cooper, fresh from the smash movie musical “Mamma Mia”, rolls in as the younger and more dashing suitor Charles Grey. Basically, Mr. Grey is everything the Duke is not sans the wealth and fancy title. Charles is depicted as a sensitive good listener who’s a gentleman in public and a marvel in bed. Mr. Cooper has no trouble pouring the charm all over our love starved Georgiana. No spoiler here. It’s only a matter of time before the Duchess seizes the opportunity to seize Mr. Grey.
Charles Grey (D. Cooper) and Georgiana (K. Knightley) get a little bit closer.
Okay, this was a longer review than usual but this was a nearly two hour feature so there was a lot of ground to cover. Even after all my prattle there’s still a wheelbarrow full of plot secrets left unrevealed. I truly enjoyed “The Duchess”. I was expecting a movie about a girl who got married too young and runs around having affairs behind her clueless older husband. Instead, I was treated to a touching yet somewhat tragic tale of a young woman who thought she was marrying a nobleman and instead got years of infidelity and out right disrespect. Seeing Georgiana's maturation was truly a cinematic wonder.
Pre-PETA, obviously.
If there is even a sliver of justice left in the Academy Awards judging room, Miss Knightley should get a much deserved nomination. I remember when she was one of Queen Amidala's handmaidens in "Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace" and now she's a duchess. How bout that?
www.theduchessmovie.com